Arsenal's lack of creativity in the final third was witnessed in their 2-1 win yesterday.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal embraces Mesut Ozil of Arsenal as he is substituted off during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images)
Arsenal made it two wins in two games as they beat West Ham 2-1 in the Premier League. Despite the win, the big talking point was the way Arsenal played before getting their “lucky” goal.
Arsenal took the lead through Lacazette midway in the first half but conceded an equaliser just before halftime. In the second half Arsenal switched off and West Ham were on the verge of taking the lead several time.
Despite dominating possession with 63%, they were unable to convert it into goal scoring chances with only 7 shots registered compared to West Ham’s 14 shots.
Since Arteta’s appointment in December, Arsenal rank 15th among Premier League clubs for shots on goal and rank even lower for chances created.
Arsenal were very predictable and looked to have run out of ideas in the second half of the game and took their chances late on in the game when Ceballos set up Nketiah for the winner.
The game was crying out for forgotten man Mesut Ozil who would have made an impact off the bench and helped with creativity.
Looking at Arsenal’s bench yesterday, the only player who was capable of creating chances was Nicolas Pepe. Ozil is very useful when you have lots of possession or when you’re trying to break down a stubborn defensive team.
Arsenal needed a creative mind like Ozil’s yesterday
It’s not the first time Arsenal have had lots of possession but not converted it into goal scoring opportunities especially against smaller teams that are stubborn defensively and will not be the last time until a solution is conjured.
Yesterday’s match showed Arsenal need to sign a technically gifted player like Houssem Aouar before the window shuts or simply reinstate Ozil back into the team at least on the bench to solve this creativity issue.
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I'm still left aghast & puzzled why Arteta remains adamant & stubborn over Ozil Gueze. This duo will certainly make the midfield click.